Caran D'ache Ecridor Retro

[fx101]

Just been re-reading the original review having had my Ecridor Chevron 6 years. What I hadn't noticed was that the reviewer referred to a "screw-in" converter. However, whilst there are threads to take a screw-in converter, mine is simply a push fit. Can anyone clarify/confirm or otherwise this minor point. After initial disappointment with the pen, it is now perhaps my favourite pen along with a P51, and this is partly because it seems to make my handwriting better than most other pens - must be a combination of weight, balance, nib smoothness, etc.

John

 

I have two versions of the Ecridor from different decades. I can confirm that both are fitted with a push-in converter and not a screw-in converter. Interestingly after I first bought my Ecridor there were several things I didn't like about it... the nib wasn't too smooth and the balance wasn't exactly stunning. But it grew on me and now it's easily one of my favorite pens (although the "hexagonal" is still my fave).

[Drone]

Hi, Nice Review...

 

As for tarnishing, I can say this about the one CDA Ecridor I own: I have a Caran d'Ache Ecridor Maya style ballpoint that I purchased new from a reputable dealer in Singapore perhaps eight or ten years ago. After some use, I found the pen a bit short for my liking (approx. 12.7cm long), so it saw little use. I kept the pen safe in one of my pen-tray drawers.

 

A few months ago I was digging around in the depths of my pen collection and saw that the Ecridor was badly tarnished - all over. The pen was very difficult to clean-up, even with a high-quality micro-mesh polishing cloth. I had to resort to some chemical silver cleaning solution application (home-brew but mild) just to get the tarnish off from the barrel under the clip. But I've not been able to get all the brown tarnish from under the clip itself. To be fair, the Ecridor is my only pen with a silver finish of any type. I've never seen tarnishing on any of my other pens.

 

I have no idea what the cleaning did to the "Silver with Rhodium Plating", but if the rhodium plating was doing its job properly in the first place, it should not have tarnished so badly over the years. Now several months after the clean-up, I'm not seeing more tarnishing - but time will tell. The pen's push-button is embossed "CARAN D'ACHE + SWISS MADE +" on the circumference. The button is domed with no logo or embossing on the top.

 

Keep in-mind, this is my experience with my one and only example of the Caran d'Ache Ecrodor Ballpoint, and a somewhat old and disused one at that. YMMV. I can say that tarnishing problems aside; the fit and finish of my Ecridor ballpoint is excellent. Plus, it takes standard Parker-sized refills, so there are many options to be had. In hind-sight, I wish I took some before and after pics of the tarnished pen and posted them here for comment. Oh well...

 

Best Regards, David

[leod]

good design and pattern, is there a large version of the ecridor FP?

[joelchan]

I always wanted a Yard-o-Led...but it's just to expensive for me..and when I saw this pen..

 

I bought it..

this pen has never failed me ..and it's weight is just right for me..

[ozansefer]

Than you for good review and comments. İ want to buy it but i have a question abouth scratching and running. (ok it is very smooth but is it means the nib is running like usain bolt? İ want to write quick and continuously, is it good for me?

[GameDayBucketGoBoom]

I've had my retro for a few months now, but I have started to phase it out of my rotation. I have the broad nib, which is extremely broad, so until i get that swapped, i doubt ill use it a ton. More concerning, however, is the fact that I seem to have ink leakage from where the section mates with the upper portion of the nib assembly. I dont know if its a true leak or perhaps the remnants of some dried ink that just ended up in the crack, but its worryin me. Its a $250 pen, and if it turns out to be wrecked, I doubt ill ever get around to fixing it. Any suggestions? Its currently in the middle of an extended soak to try and rid it of all ink deposits, before I make a determination as to whether the section has a crack in it. I've barely used it, so I doubt i could have caused any leaks.

[Bo Bo Olson]

A sheet of aluminum foil, some common table salt; cover with water ... let silver sit on the foil, just under water, and it will clean up tarnished silver; including the back of your clip.

[cjjohnst]

Yard-o-led most certainly do make fountain pens with nibs.

[minthe]

Wow, nice review. I'm curious about the 100 pages user manual, what could that possibly be about a single pen?

[Drone]

Wow, nice review. I'm curious about the 100 pages user manual, what could that possibly be about a single pen?

 

A dozen different languages?

[minthe]

yeah, you're certainly right. But even with 20 languages, 5 pages for a single pen? I'd like to read it..

[vinper]

You should treat yourself to the matching pencil. It is stunning and a joy to write with; it's just not pocket friendly so you will need a case to carry it it--perhaps a double one so it could travel with its mate. vinper

[DREAMER]

I have 3 ecridor (including the retro) and the only one having a problem is ...... the retro : the cap is now loosy ..... I thi,k it's time to drive it to the manufacture (not so far from where I live) ........

[Tamara71s]

I love my ecridor and I am happy to read that I am not the only one .But after 10 minuten writing my fingers start to hurt. Maybe the pen is to heavy for my small hands? Maybe a metal barrel does not fit me? The pen is so nice it has to grow on me. Mine has a fine nib and it writes with a realy fine line. It writes more dry than my sheaffer. I have also a ecridor mechanical pencil but it is not realy a set because the logo's on top of the pens are different. That's too bad. That is the risc of buying online...

Edited January 10, 2017 by Tamara71s

[aderoy]

I love my ecridor and I am happy to read that I am not the only one .But after 10 minuten writing my fingers start to hurt. Maybe the pen is to heavy for my small hands? Maybe a metal barrel does not fit me? The pen is so nice it has to grow on me.

The Ecridor has a slim body section if held in fingers tightly may cause cramping. Light tripod grip seems to work for me.

[Komboloi]

The pen is so nice it has to grow on me.

 

This is how I feel about my Ecridor Retro. It's a lovely pen, and I want to really love it. But it's had some minor, yet annoying, flow issues that I hope to get sorted. And the narrow heft is definitely different. I'm hopeful the pen will grow on me.

[jar]

 

This is how I feel about my Ecridor Retro. It's a lovely pen, and I want to really love it. But it's had some minor, yet annoying, flow issues that I hope to get sorted. And the narrow heft is definitely different. I'm hopeful the pen will grow on me.

It shouldn't skip. Cd'A has great customer service though so if it does skip drop them a line.

 

http://www.fototime.com/537F6681C1019C8/medium800.jpg

[RocketRyan]

How slim is the section on these?

[jar]

How slim is the section on these?

http://www.fototime.com/24C89774EBC7EFC/medium800.jpg

[Tamara71s]

The Ecridor has a slim body section if held in fingers tightly may cause cramping. Light tripod grip seems to work for me.

Thank you for the tip.

 

I have practiced while chanting 'relax hand, relax hand'. It is not cramping though but relaxing the hand is absolutly better. A lamy al star entered my life. A tripod grip. Works for me beter also just as the grip of sheaffers prelude. But, lamy alstar vs caran d'ache ecridor cubric........ehm...ehm....neh does not compare😉

 

I choose to suffer for beauty and grow myself some hard skin😀

 

Forgot to multiquote.

To aderoy:

About the flow issue, when i flushed en dryed the nib, the nib and feed came out the grip. A very loos fit. When all put together again the nib is not as dry anymore. It writes better then ever. What brand of ink do you use? Diamine and akkerman inks works beautifully in my ecridor.

Edited January 15, 2017 by Tamara71s